President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Dalit social reformer and father of the Indian Constitution Dr. BR Ambedkar on his 128th birth anniversary, also known as Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti. A social reformer, economist and jurist, BR Ambedkar was the force behind the Dalit Buddhist Movement in India.

Born into a poor Dalit family on 14 April 1891, Ambedkar became independent India's first law minister, the principal architect of the Constitution of India and a founding father of the Republic of India. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1990.

"Homage to Dr. BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. An icon of our nation and chief architect of the Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar waged a life-long struggle for a modern India, free of caste and other prejudices, ensuring equal rights for women and weaker sections," the president said.

The prime minister tweeted in Hindi, saying: "I pay my homage to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a person who has worked for social justice — Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar — on his birth anniversary. Jai Hind!"

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter to remember Babasaheb on Ambedkar Jayanti, who dedicated his life to working for the upliftment of untouchables, women, and labourers.

Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati on Ambedkar Jayanti said that by giving a priceless constitutional right of one person-one vote, and the same value for each vote, Baba Saheb sought the mastery key for the upliftment and welfare of Dalits, oppressed, backward and religious minorities. "We have to fulfill that."